Study on Pudina (mint) arka prepared by three different methods

摘要

Mint or Pudina (Meantha spicata L ) is very common home herb, used in kitchen and also as a home remedy to treat common abdominal problems. It has an important place in Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine. Its juice, paste, powder, extract, distillate are used individually or as ingredient in many formulations to treat stomachache, dyspepsia, indigestion etc. Since it’s having volatile oil as important constituent, so Arka is most efficient dosage form to use it. There are conflicts in method of preparation among Arka Prakash (AP), Ayurveda Formulary of India (AFI) and National Formulary of Unani Medicine (NFUM). To evaluate the best method among them the present study has been planned. 3 Samples of Pudina Arka were prepared by following these references using simple distillation method. Method of Arka Prakash was found impractical and difficult to extract Arka . Both the remaining references was found suitable for preparation. The method mentioned in NFUM is found most suitable.